Sam as always!

Nick was being released. He sat up in his bed as the red headed nurse took the IV out of his hand.

Nick winced as the IV was removed from the vein. "Ow," He said as he rubbed the red spot.

"Sorry," She said as she took his BP and his pulse. She stuck a stethoscope on his chest to make sure his heart was doing its job.

"You are quite the fighter Mr. Stokes," The red head said.

"What are you talking about?" Nick said as he began to push the blankets off of him.

"You punched my brother in the face as he was trying to restrain you," she said as she looked down his throat with an over sized Popsicle stick.

He attempted to speak, but his gag reflexes wouldn't allow it.

"Stop," she said in a stern voice. She removed the stick and began writing down all of the information.

"I punched you brother?" Nick said as remorse filled his head.

"Yeah, he's got quite the shiner," she said as she headed out of the room.

"Well, tell your brother I'm sorry about that…." Nick paused as he tried to remember her name.

"Lily. And I will," She said as she walked out of the room, waving to Nick as she walked.

Grissom and Warrick found their way down the hall.

"You mother and father said that they love you very much and that they'll see you around July," Grissom said as he sat his aching limbs in a chair.

"Thanks for taking them down there guys," Nick said as he sat in his bed looking out the window.

"No problem," Warrick said as he also took a chair from next to Grissom.

They sat there in silence for a while as they looked out on the Vegas strip.

"Are you ready to go?" Warrick asked as he stood up and pushed his chair back up against the east wall.

"Yeah, I think I am," Nick said as he got up out of bed.

Warrick and Grissom sat there waiting for Nick.

"I need to change," Nick said as he finally got on his feet.

"Oh," Grissom said as he pushed Warrick out of the room. Warrick also finally got the message.

Nick got out of his bed, changed his cloths, and then told the boys to come back in.

"We're gonna have to swing back around my house to pick up some stuff aren't we?" Nick asked as they walked down the corridor, the bear dangling from Nick's hand.

"No, Catherine and Sara are at your place already picking out your stuff," Warrick said as they stopped by the front desk.

"Hello Mr. Stokes," The secretary said as she began to get his papers in order.

"Hello," Nick said as he leaned against the counter.

"We just need you to sign these papers and you'll be out of here," She said as she handed him a pen. Nick gave her his autograph and then walked proudly out of the hospital.

"It feels so good to be free," Nick said as he walked into the fresh air, with Warrick and Grissom not too far behind.

"Shotgun," Warrick yelled as Grissom got into the drivers seat.

"That's cold man," nicks aid as he hopped into the back seat.

"What do you say we go to the diner?" Nick asked as Warrick did 40 right past it.

"Or not," Nick said as the diner became a dot in the background.

"We have food at my house. Greg's cooking," Warrick said as they took a right at 19th and Greenway.

"Greg's cooking? Well, I'm not really in the mood to eat then," Nick said as he began to cradle the bear in his lap.

"You're never gonna let that thing out of your site are you?" Warrick asked as he looked back at Nick.

"Nope. Not as long as I'm alive," Nick said as Grissom turned left into Warrick's driveway.

Warrick opened the door for Nick and led him into the house.

"Was it me or was Grissom pretty quite on the way here?" Nick asked as he leaned against Warrick's front door post.

""I don't know man. Maybe you should ask him," Warrick asked as he opened the door.

"SURPRISE!" was the response when Nick walked into the living room. He looked around and saw streamers, balloons and all of the flowers and cards from his hospital room, showered all over the house. Brass, Lindsay, Catherine, Sara and Greg all met him at the door as he entered the house. Hugs and kisses and back slaps were the welcoming present for Nick. He was so happy to be with his family. The room broke into laughter and chatting as they all settled down. Nick knew that someone was missing. Grissom was still in the car.

"I think I forgot something in the car," Nick said as he removed Lindsay from his lap and sat her on the couch.

"I can get it man," Warrick said as he put down his drink.

"No, I got it man. I'm not completely helpless," Nick said as he headed for the door.

"Not completely," Warrick said as he lowered himself back into his seat. Nick laughed as he exited outside. As the sunlight met Nick's face, he placed a hand over his eyes to shield it. He looked into the car to find Grissom, staring at him with his sunglasses on.

Nick walked over to the passenger side door and got in. He sat down and turned towards Grissom who was still looking at Nick.

"Why aren't you inside?" Nick asked as he turned the AC vent towards him.

"I don't know," Grissom said as he took his gaze away from nick. "I just can't help but feel responsible for what happened to you."

"Don't do that," Nick said as he looked at Grissom. "What happened to me was the result of a grieving father who had no other way to take his anger out. But he picked me. Not by choice but by chance was it me that was picked. It could have been Sara or Greg or Warrick. But in a way I'm glad it was me because it really made me think about my life," He paused as he looked out side to see kids playing in the front yard. "I have so many people that care about me. I have you guys, my mom my dad. I'm so loved. And I think it took this incident to really show me that. But Grissom," nick started before he began to get choked up. "I want to be like you. I strive to impress you everyday I'm out there in the field. And to know that I matter to you, makes me feel even more loved. Without you, I wouldn't be here." Nick said as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "You're like a second father."

"The last line caused Grissom to become chocked up as well. He reached over and gave Nick a hug. Nick however was shocked. He had never seen Grissom show him so much emotion before. They broke the hug but continued to stay in the car for a couple minutes.

"Want to go in?" Grissom asked as he wiped his eyes.

"Yeah, I'm starving." Nick and Grissom, from the point on, had a new found love for each other. But Grissom didn't have this feeling for just Nick. He had it for Sara, Greg, and Warrick as well. He considered him self a father figure.

Sorry it ahs taken so long for me to update. School consumes my life now gags on 7 page essay due MONDAY anyways, I hope you enjoy. I wrote this as a spur of the moment thing. Sorry if it is a little vague in some areas; my fault. Review if you can!

-CSIFanatic08